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Game Box Inscribed for Taia and His Family

New Kingdom
ca. 1396–1347 BCE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 118
This wooden game box has two playing surfaces and a drawer for storing gaming pieces and throw sticks that were used as counters for determining moves in the games. The top surface is laid out with twenty squares for the game tjau (robbers). The bottom has thirty squares for the game senet (passing). In the New Kingdom, senet became associated with the underworld; the obstacles of the game corresponding to hazards met on the journey to the afterlife. In the tomb of Nefertari, principal wife of Ramesses II, a scene depicts the queen playing senet in the afterlife against an invisible adversary.

The box is inscribed on the top and sides with funerary offering texts for the overseer of works Taia, his father, also named Taia, and his mother, Yuwi. On one end is a scene showing Taia and his wife, Tekhyt, seated on the right facing an offering table. Facing the table on the left is Takhyt's mother, Ahmose.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Game Box Inscribed for Taia and His Family
  • Period: New Kingdom
  • Dynasty: Dynasty 18
  • Reign: reign of Thutmose IV–Amenhotep III
  • Date: ca. 1396–1347 BCE
  • Geography: From Egypt
  • Medium: Wood
  • Dimensions: L. 47 cm (18 1/2 in.); w. 13.3. cm (5 1/4 in.); h. 9.8 cm (3 7/8 in.)
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1912
  • Object Number: 12.182.72a, b
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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Queen Nefertari Playing Senet
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ca. 1550–1300 BCE
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ca. 1491–1386 BCE
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Ritual Statuette of Thutmose III
ca. 1479–1425 BCE

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